midnightwolf

i want to get a center piece fish for my 55g. i will have otto cats, guppies, dalmation mollies, and maybe some platies oh yea and a stoaway snail that jumped aboared my plant LOL. i was thinking maybe a gourami about 5-7 inches. if you have any ideas that would be great.

thanks

TFA101

I think you need a pearl gourami. theyre beautiful and grow to 4-5 inches. they're pretty good community fish and they scrap only with other gouramis, particularly males scrapping with each other

Amanda

A Pearl would be beautiful in a planted 55.

midnightwolf

i was thinking of an opaline gourami but i will consider both. which one would be better and could i get one of each? also are they schooling fish?

Amanda

No, gouramis do not school. They are a close relative of the betta, so keep that in mind.
One male per tank is best.

midnightwolf

then would a opaline or pearl work better? and should i get a female or male?

Amanda

It's up to you which species you want. Males are more colorful than females.

Beeker

Check the species profiles on both species and see which one you like best.

midnightwolf

would the males bully my smaller peaceful fish?

Amanda

Pearls are supposed to be pretty peaceful
http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Gourami,%20Pearl.htm

midnightwolf

what about the Opaline ?

TFA101

as from what i've experienced, opalines can get scrappy, but for the most part are pretty good community fish

pam916

I recently added a couple of large congo tetras to my 55 gallon planted discus tank and they are beautiful. Emperor tetras are also very pretty in a planted tank.

midnightwolf

what do you mean by scrappy?

TFA101

they will sometimes nip and chase, but for the most part are good community fish

midnightwolf

oh good the males are just georgus

midnightwolf

if you have any more ideas or comments for me just let me know

Blub

Pearls do tend to be very shy - so for a center piece I would think an Opaline would be better suited.